US emphasizes EU's role in Ukraine peace negotiations

US officials are reassuring European allies about the ongoing discussions regarding a peace agreement for Ukraine. They emphasize the importance of involving the European Union in any deal, especially because Russia is seeking relief from sanctions imposed by the EU. The US message aims to maintain support from European nations who fear that President Donald Trump may negotiate without their involvement. This concern grew after Trump's recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Putin rejected a proposed ceasefire. Instead, he agreed only to limit attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure while demanding that the US stop supplying weapons and intelligence. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, allies have imposed strict sanctions on the country. US officials insist these sanctions will remain until a satisfactory agreement is reached. They also warned that they are prepared to increase pressure on Russia if needed. Following a G7 summit, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the EU must be part of any negotiation process due to the sanctions they have enacted on Russia. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte suggested that relations with Russia might be normalized once the fighting stops. However, Lithuania’s foreign minister stressed that Russia must first fulfill several conditions, including ending the war and returning occupied Ukrainian territory, before relations can improve.